As routers are connected to networks, it is necessary to understand the operation of networks, or you’ll have difficulty gaining the program and be unable to understand the work. Find a training programme that teaches the basics (CompTIA is a good one) before you start the CCNA.
The CCNA qualification is what you should be aiming for – at this stage avoid being tempted to do the CCNP straight away. Get a couple of years experience behind you first, then you will have a feel for if you need to train up to this level. If it is, you’ll be in a better position to pass then – as your working knowledge will put everything into perspective.
It’s essential to have the current Microsoft (or relevant organisation’s) accredited exam simulation and preparation packages.
Students regularly can get thrown by practising exam questions that aren’t from authorised sources. Quite often, the question formats and phraseology is startlingly different and you should be prepared for this.
A way to build self-confidence is if you test your knowledge through quizzes and practice exams before you take the real thing.
The sometimes daunting task of landing your first role in IT can be relieved by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance facility. Because of the growing demand for appropriately skilled people in Great Britain today, it’s not too important to place too much emphasis on this feature however. It really won’t be that difficult to get employment once you’re trained and certified.
One important thing though, don’t leave it until you have finished your training before getting your CV updated. As soon as you start studying, enter details of your study programme and get it out there!
Having the possibility of an interview is better than being rejected. Often junior jobs are bagged by trainees (who’ve only just left first base.)
If you don’t want to travel too far to work, then you may well find that an independent and specialised local employment service could be of more use than a centralised service, because they’re going to have insider knowledge of what’s available near you.
Essentially, as long as you put the same commitment into getting a job as into studying, you won’t find it too challenging. Some trainees curiously put hundreds of hours into their training course and then call a halt once they’ve passed their exams and seem to expect employers to find them.
You have to make sure that all your exams are commercially valid and current – don’t bother with programmes which end up with a useless in-house certificate or plaque.
If the accreditation doesn’t feature a conglomerate such as Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA, then you’ll probably find it will be commercially useless – because it won’t give an employer any directly-useable skills.
An area that’s often missed by new students weighing up a particular programme is that of ‘training segmentation’. This basically means the breakdown of the materials for delivery to you, which makes a huge difference to where you end up.
Often, you will purchase a course requiring 1-3 years study and get sent one module each time you pass an exam. While this may sound logical on one level, consider this:
What if there are reasons why you can’t finish each and every exam? And what if you find the order of the modules counter-intuitive? Because of nothing that’s your fault, you mightn’t complete everything fast enough and therefore not end up with all the modules.
To be honest, the very best answer is to get an idea of what they recommend as an ideal study order, but to receive all the materials up-front. It’s then all yours in the event you don’t complete everything within their ideal time-table.
A so-called advisor who doesn’t ask you a lot of questions – it’s more than likely they’re just a salesperson. If they push a particular product before understanding your background and whether you have any commercial experience, then you know it’s true.
An important point to note is that, if you’ve had any relevant accreditation or direct-experience, then it’s not unreasonable to expect to start at a different point than a trainee with no history to speak of.
Starting with a basic PC skills course first may be the ideal way to get up and running on your IT program, but really depends on your level of familiarity with computers.
(C) Jason Kendall. Look at LearningLolly.com for clear advice on Cisco CCNA Courses and CCNA Courses.
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